Japan coach Takeshi Okada said Thursday he will drop off-form Urawa Reds striker Naohiro Takahara from his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Okada said Takahara will train with the Reds until he regains his form while referring to the possibility that the former German Bundesliga player will rejoin his squad during Japan's four-match qualifying campaign in June.
"We agreed that it's better for him to work out his problems with his club because the national team will not do as much as his club can do for his match fitness," Okada said.
"I want him to come back when he regains confidence in his form. I will wait patiently for that to happen," he added.